Outdoor Retailer Celebrates 35th Anniversary with Summer Market 2017 Reflecting Industry Evolution

July 24, 2017

Expanded activations at the Demo Experience, refreshed paddlesports showcase, increased networking and education opportunities and first public advocacy center shape new path forward

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. (July 24, 2017) — Outdoor Retailer, the industry’s national gathering where the entire outdoor community comes together to conduct commerce, to share best practices and to exchange ideas, will celebrate its 35^th anniversary at Summer Market held July 26-29 in Salt Lake City. This year’s tradeshow mirrors the steady evolution and growth of the industry as it has become a major contributor to the U.S. economy. New components include: expanded activations at the Demo Experience at Jordanelle State Park; a refreshed paddlesports showcase; increased networking and educational seminars; and the show’s first public advocacy center which will act as a resource for attendees to engage in public lands and water issues and take action on issues they care about. In addition, former Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell will headline the opening industry breakfast on day one of the show.

“Our outdoor industry has grown significantly over the past 35 years, now contributing to the $887 billion outdoor recreation economy in the U.S.,” said Marisa Nicholson, vice president of Outdoor Retailer and show director. “Over that same time period, Outdoor Retailer has evolved with the industry, buoying this growth. Today, with the passionate support of exhibitors and attendees, Outdoor Retailer is the heartbeat of this community.”

The Demo Experience moves back to Jordanelle State Park on July 25 with new clinics, educational programs and networking sessions sharing strategies in driving consumer engagement and nurturing sales. Debuting this year is a series of workshops covering best practices for planning and staging consumer events at retail. Outdoor Retailer is also enhancing paddle-centric events and education at the show.

On the show floor, among the paddle brands, the new paddle community area (booth 39133) will feature “Wild Ideas on Water” with award-winning podcast host Shelby Stanger and “The Future of Paddlesports Retail is Now” with Rapid Media.

Outdoor Retailer’s on-floor education center, The Camp (booth 38088), continues to be a show favorite examining the most pertinent issues facing outdoor retailers and brands today. This summer’s lineup features Bethany Hamilton, the iconic shark-attack survivor and professional surfer, who will share her inspirational story of overcoming a near-fatal shark attack at the age of 13. The Camp will also feature diverse education topics and formal networking sessions and the opportunity for brands and retailers to connect with reps and creatives – photographers, designers, freelancers and digital influencers.

The show continues to foster emerging companies through Venture Out with curated brands at the forefront of the modern outdoor experience. The RANGER Station within Venture Out is a hub for brands and retailers that want to engage in the growing urban outdoor trend. It is home to a boutique-inspired pop-up shop with items that received a RANGE “Radical by Design” Seal of Approval. These distinctive products elevate outdoor adventure while focusing on design and execution.

In light of the passionate dialogue about public lands, for the first time, Outdoor Retailer, in partnership with Outdoor Industry Association, will host the Public Lands Action Center, a convenient resource area for live advocacy action and education on public land and water issues facing the industry. The space is located in the south foyer of the Salt Palace Convention Center.

“This summer will be Pelican’s 26th year of attending Outdoor Retailer,” said Bob Shortt, president of Pelican Products’ consumer division. “We find Outdoor Retailer to be one of the best places to connect with people in our industry and develop important relationships that help us tell the ‘Pelican Life’ story.”

“Outdoor Retailer will always be a fantastic and motivating reminder of the great outdoors that all brands in the outdoor industry serve,” said Ann Daw, JanSport’s vice president of marketing. “The human talent and product innovation within the industry keep participation evolving in a healthy, interesting, and enduring way.”

About Outdoor Retailer:
Outdoor Retailer brings together retailers, manufacturers, industry advocates and media to conduct the business of outdoor recreation through trade shows, Outdoor Retailer Magazine, product demo events, media events and web-based business solutions. The Outdoor Retailer trade shows are the premier outdoor industry events for North America, providing platforms for critical face-to-face business initiatives, line previews, innovations, launches, networking and retailer education. Visit outdoorretailer.com for more information.

Outdoor Retailer is owned by Emerald Expositions, the largest operator of business-to-business trade shows in the United States, with most of our shows dating back several decades. We currently operate more than 50 trade shows, including 31 of the top 250 trade shows in the country as ranked by TSNN, as well as numerous other events. Our events connect over 500,000 global attendees and exhibitors and occupy more than 6.5 million NSF of exhibition space. We have been recognized with many awards and accolades that reflect our industry leadership as well as the importance of our shows to the exhibitors and attendees we serve.

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